Dan Sultan enlists first nations artists to paint Fender guitars for NAIDOC week art auction
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05.07.2021

Dan Sultan enlists first nations artists to paint Fender guitars for NAIDOC week art auction

Words by Sam McNiece

Supporting the Children's Ground organisation.

ARIA award winner and multi-faceted artist Dan Sultan has taken his first steps as ambassador for First Nations organisation Children’s Ground, collaborating with Fender Australia to support First Nations communities. Artists Otis Carey and Niah Mcleod have created two unique guitars which will be auctioned for this cause.

What you need to know

  • Children’s Ground ambassador Dan Sultan teams up with Fender to raise money for NAIDOC week.
  • Two guitars, painted by Aboriginal artists Niah Mcleod and Otis Hope Carey are available for auction with all funds going to Children’s Ground
  • These guitars are available for auction now, and bids will close Sunday, July 25, 11:59pm.

Read all the latest product news here.

“When Fender reached out to me a few months ago about celebrating NAIDOC Week in 2021, I decided to curate an art project with two leading and incredible artists: Yuin Monero and Wandandian woman Niah McLeod and Gumbayngirr and Bundjalung man Otis Hope Carey, having each of them use a Fender guitar as a canvas to create a couple of unique pieces of art we can use to raise much needed funds and, most importantly, awareness for Children’s Ground” says Dan Sultan.

As an organisation, Children’s Ground believes every First Nations child born today should experience a lifetime of opportunity, entering adulthood strong in their identity and culture, connected to their local and global world, and economically independent. They work with First Nations communities over a 25-year period to make lasting change which is built around empowerment.

The two guitars being auctioned are both by accomplished Aboriginal artists. Otis Hope Carey’s guitar is named Gaagal (Ocean) after one of his clan totems which has healing elements. On his personal influence Otis says “my biggest influence on my style would be my spiritual connection to myself, my culture and my surroundings.” The guitar is made using water based acrylics painting dot work of traditional symbols with current charts over the top which is on a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster.

Niah Mcleods guitar is named Ngudjung Yugarang (Mother’s Heartbeat) after one of her fathers poems and based on dot and fine line artwork. Niah, who’s work is very meditative says the artwork “feels a bit like land vibrations and earth vibrations to me.” The artwork was created using water based acrylics on a Fender American Acoustasonic Stratocaster.

Both of these guitars are available for auction right now and bidding will close Sunday, July 25, 11:59pm. Get in now to support First Nations people and the chance to own a unique playable Fender guitar.

To bid on these guitars and support a First Nations organisation, head here.